Tag Archives: technology

We “behaviorally modern humans” likely emerged more than 100,000 years ago in Africa, spread across that continent and eventually all over the planet, effectively replacing all closely related potentially competitive species. Among many possible explanations, was the co-evolution of the human mind with tool use and technology – ranging all the way from simple stone tools millions of years ago, to computers today.

Speakers in this series addresses this important process at all levels, from molecules to brain imaging, beginning with the potential link between early stone tool use and the parallel expansion of the human brain, to the control of fire and the invention of projectile weapons, all the way through reading and writing to current day technologies such as computers and 3D reality–perhaps with a look to the potential future of the human mind.

Over the last 30 years, San Diego’s economy has emerged from a primarily military and defense contracting town into one of the leading innovation regions in America.

The term “innovation economy” is often used as an umbrella to capture businesses focused on everything from biotech and environmental applications to defense and wireless communications. They’re also interchangeably referred to as tech companies.

Key to San Diego’s innovation economy and identity are the aerospace and communications sectors, creating markets from drones to next-generation wireless communications. Explore the visionary technology igniting these industries and the implications this growth has to further propel San Diego as a leading global city. This program features nationally celebrated journalist James Fallows of The Atlantic magazine and executives from global technology leaders ViaSat, Solar Turbines and the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS).

Our high viewer engagement encouraged us to morph to an interview format in which my students and I ask our guests questions. This conversational approach has proven more entertaining than the conventional “speaker behind a lectern” methodology, which has further increased our viewership. The series is reaching nearly 6 million global viewers annually, many of whom are downloading the free episodes via iTunes.

I have enjoyed all of our speakers and have been honored to share the stage with them. From dozens of fantastic talks and interviews, I have selected five that were especially impactful and continue to be widely watched, month after month.

“Your friends see you as you are. A mentor see you in your potential, sees who you could be.”

Bob Wood has been a mentor to dozens of professionals during his long career in public service. Despite retiring several years ago, he continues to provide guidance to young (and not so young) professionals.

“My experience is that successful people are successful at home and… in business.”

Barrie Bergman is a humble, self-made man who realized early in life that being nice provides a significant business advantage. Barrie, along with his lifelong wife and business partner Arlene, epitomizes the American Dream.

From a single used record store, Barrie and Arlene grew Record Bar into the second-largest record chain in the U.S., with over 200 locations. The Bergmans sold the chain for approximately $100 million.

After taking a multi-year victory lap, Barrie and Arlene purchased Bare Escentuals out of bankruptcy. They eventually turned the failing, four-store cosmetics chain into a global, public company. Learn how Good Guys Finish First.

“If you set out to make a fortune, you probably won’t. If you set out to make a difference in the world, you will and you might make a fortune.”

Mark Templeton knows a bit about success and what it takes to reach the top of one’s industry. He began his career at Citrix as a middle manager in its Marketing Department, eventually rising to the ranks of CEO. He was later fired from this role, only to be re-hired as CEO a couple years later. During Mark’s tenure, Citrix has grown from 50 employees and a few million dollars of revenue, to a company of over 10,000 employees, generating revenue in excess of $3.1 billion.

“I think entrepreneurship is ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Becoming a successful entrepreneur isn’t… about your skills or your abilities or your DNA, it’s about what you refuse to give up on – what you will keep doing until you succeed.”

Marten Mickos has enjoyed a celebrated entrepreneurial career. As an early executive at MySQL, he helped build the company into the world’s most used open source database. MySQL was eventually acquired by Sun Microsystems for $1 billion.

“I answer the phone and the woman says, ‘Hi… I need the most mature person you have who can deal with difficult people.’ And in one of those ‘How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying’ moments, I (said) ‘His name is John Ferriter and I will send him over right now.’ (applause) That was the first job I got for somebody. That job lasted nineteen and a half years.”

With no industry connections or family ties, talent agent John Ferriter applied basic entrepreneurial principles to reach the pinnacle of Hollywood’s elite. He became the agent for a number of celebrities, including: Jerry Garcia, Dr. Drew, Carson Daily, Jimmy Kimmel, Adam Carolla, Tom Green, Dick Clark, Keanu Reeves and Ryan Seacrest.

Most employers agree that the workforce of tomorrow will need a deep knowledge of computer science, IT, big data, math, and other STEM-related abilities, not just for science and tech jobs, but for all occupations.

Such skills are essential for San Diego’s booming biotech and life sciences industry (ranked third largest in the country), as well as other large employers in IT, manufacturing and health care.

Join San Diego Union Tribune’s Jonathan Horn as he moderates a panel of industry experts discussing what skills they need most – and learn about their strategies to actively equip students with necessary skills through tech fairs and afterschool enrichment programs.

FEATURED THIS MONTH

Lighting The World

We take light for granted, yet more than two billion people in the world go through their entire lives without reliable lighting. But that’s changing, thanks in part to the brilliant discovery of UC Santa Barbara’s Shuji Nakamura.

The UCTV Prime series Lighting the World: Shuji Nakamura and His Brilliant Discovery, made possible by UC Santa Barbara’s Solid State Lighting and Energy Center, tells the story of Nakamura’s determined effort to develop the white LED and the revolution in lighting that his discovery has brought to the world.

Careers In Innovation

Powered by UC San Diego Extension, UCTV’s Career Channel provides a public service as an unbiased provider of information, tools and experts to help college graduates with their careers.

This month brings a slate of new programs from UCSB’s Technology Management Program and UC Berkeley’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, featuring experts on innovation in the high-tech marketplace.

Breeze Through The Basics of First-Year Med School

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a first-year medical student? Are you planning to pursue a career in healthcare but want to learn more first?

Learn from the same faculty who teach the fundamental concepts of medicine to first-year medical students at UCSF with this new UCSF Osher Mini Medical School series, premiering March 18.